Chapter 21 - Desperate times calls for desperate measures

Out of excitement, and while also being nervous at the same time, I was running as fast as I could in going back to my boarding room. After arriving eventually, I then changed and fixed myself up and have quickly gone back outside again in heading to the restaurant for my part-time work.

"Sir, I'm here!" Stepping inside as I opened the glass door, I gave a salute to my manager.

"Good! Then there is no time to waste kiddo, get over here already." Mr. Alvarez, who was already busy around the place, replied.

"Yes sir!" I then responded with full of enthusiasm, making haste to get into station.

Fully dedicated to my part-time job, I performed around the workplace with the rushed teachings of Mr. Alvarez just from yesterday. But that was a no problem for me since cooking is one of my hobbies, having myself a great sense when it comes to it. It is also an advantage since it was a fast-food restaurant, and the meals are pretty much alike to each other, so there are only few complicated processes in cooking that the restaurant has.

But more importantly, let's get things focus here. I then began cracking my knuckles, indicating of my serious attitude towards work.

MR.ALVAREZ'S POV:

Seriously, though I may have acted confident and reliable in the outside, I was quite troubled with what I had encountered yesterday.

It is not that the kid is a nuisance to me, but I had a difficult time in making a decision in helping him, especially when I knew that he's still underage to get a job and we ran into some problems regarding in meeting his requirements.

But oh well, since he said that he'll be turning legal very soon, and also that the restaurant has quite the few staffs in it, it seemed that it would be fine to ignore such facts and hire him.

And I really wonder, what's with all of the bags that he brought yesterday? And as I looked at him, I really couldn't tell that much of what's the catch with that serious, silent mood and aura of his. Yet when I stared at his eyes closely, it seems that he was really bothered. I know that there is something troubling the young man, and it seems that he just came fresh from his case at that time. I had ideas and thoughts about what's going on by just seeing the potential evidences around him, trying to induce his situation. But I'm really not sure of it, and maybe it is all just false imagination since I don't even know the tiniest bit of information about him.

"Manager. Hey Manager."

Anyways, I couldn't help but to take him in for work at the end, and I avoided asking questions for the sake of his privacy.

"Manager?"

Well, with that intimidating and mysterious look of his, even I as an adult would take him seriously----

"Hey Manager Alvarez! Are you just fine?"

"Woaahh--- Oh, sorry Hanzaki. I was just thinking something important."

"Oh, that's fine, but more importantly sir, the people at the frontlines (Counter) are requesting for help because of the flooding customers that have arrived."

"Is that so? I'll be going then. You stay put in the cooking kid!"

"Just leave that to me sir!"

Phew~ That spooked me out a little.

But on the other side, I'm impressed! Even though I knew from the start that he's one smart and capable guy, I was just awed in seeing him doing his part in the cooking department, and mostly with that dedication and seriousness that he's showing towards his work.

Oh yes, I approve. I am glad that I had let him in, and he's giving us some relief by taking a share of our loads of work from now on.

Due to being focused at work, the night has come into time quickly, and it is time for us to go home.

"Off we go boss!"

"Yeah sure thing!"

"Thanks for today sir!"

Oh, it's him.

"I should be the one thanking son, so, are you going now?" I asked, trying to make something up to talk about, but I guess I'm being bad at it.

"Yeah I am."

"Then have a safe trip back home."

"Likewise sir!"

Hanzaki then walked away, heading back to his place.

I'm really curious to what's happening to him, but I guess it'd be better to just leave it like this for now, and the most important thing is that a bit of his troubles has been lifted out of his chest, though I really wonder.

Whelp, I have my own problems too, so I'll better be focusing on it first. Damn, being a manager is really tough.

HANZAKI'S POV:

It is around 9pm and the streets were empty.

For this night, there are no stars and moon in visual because of the cloudy sky.

I thought having a 6 hour part-time job would be easy, but it was actually no different than that of an 8 hour one, except for the amount of pay, and even it is still the first day, the work, especially when there were a lot of customers to take care of got me exhausted, walking alone on a road with my weary shoulders.

Slowly I was taking my time in moving to preserve energy, but then my stomach has growled along the way.

I looked around, and a vendor is sighted from a distance despite the current time.

As I approached the vendor, there were some kwek-kwek (an egg rolled with orange colour flour) displayed on his cart.

"I'll have two kwek-kwek please."

In the first place, I planned to save money until I could get my first pay, and since I started late, I think it would be about next month 'till the first pay day.

Since I also settled the payment with what my homeroom teacher talked to me about months ago using my own allowance, my money would barely last for the days remaining in the month, making it a month of struggle concerning my health. So as a result, I had to plan ahead of the stuffs that I would buy, especially the food that I would consume for every day, making it possible for me to survive for the month by allocating my expenses wisely.

Indeed my stomach was not that filled, but it was just enough to satisfy my hunger. I then resumed my walk after I finished eating, and this kind of routine would continue to last for the days ahead of me temporarily.

Shortly after, I arrived at my room. Even though the space inside was small, I was still glad to have it as long as there is someplace for me to stay. By this time, after the fresh incident, everything went smoothly for me from finding a job to having a shelter. Also, my secret is still safe and luckily I had someone in mind to ask for a lending hand, and with a few remaining days for classes, Christmas break is fast approaching.

"I guess it really feels different when you're just on your own. This Christmas would be a lonely time for me." I said as I hop onto my bed.

But wait…

"Oh yeah, hahaha. Am I kidding myself? This kind of thing already happened many times before and not just on Christmas. What am I even surprised for from thinking all of these stuffs? So far my life has been a legit roller coaster ride. I guess the gods are within my side. But am I really worthy of this luc--- no, not luck... blessing, maybe? Furthermore, I'm not even clear to myself on what I really want to do, and with that, maybe I'll become a failure of a person, just like what those bastards would always say, and besides, I don't feel like I am good person at all. Arrgghh, I just don't know what to think anymore. Oh Lord, what should I rea---" When a sudden thought passing ticked me off, I then stopped as I realized that my mood was off the mark, and consequently I sighed.

"Jeez. Why am I-- acting just fine-- with all- that had happened? Good grief. Am I still-- even- human? Bob~ Rosalie~ Everyone----" I let a small yawn in the end as I blacked out.

Since I got through it, I had no choice but to continue this life of mine no matter what and despite how difficult it was for someone who's young like me to manage these kinds of challenges in life.

-----*-----

The bell rang for another afternoon dismissal.

The usual thing, I packed my things up and have gone ready for my next schedule.

"Alright!"

"Let's go everyone!"

"Sorry guys, I've got to go." I said from standing up.

I'm sorry for killing the joy Romeo and Kenneth, but I need to go part time in order for me to continue living.

"Eeehh? Today again? But bro, this is already the 4th straight time you haven't gone with us." complained Francis.

I stopped as I was about to head straight out, turning my head in a 45 degrees angle to my buds. Somehow I got irritated of my complaining friends who're looking at me from behind.

"So what? I've been doing some important stuff lately, and I got no time for hanging out."

"Hey Hanzaki, I know Francis is quite stubborn, but isn't that kind a bit too much?" Kevin remarked.

"Come on Zaki, if you got a problem, we can help you with it." Romeo added.

"No thanks. I think you guys being worried about me is just a waste of time."

"What are you talking about? No it's not! We are---"

"Enough talking. I really got to go, so I'll catch you guys another day." I exclaimed as I continue to take a step forward, leaving my friends who have gone quiet due to my unexpected change of behaviour, but then I suddenly stopped again along my way. "Don't misunderstand the situation, It's not like that I don't like you guys or something, I just got things to do in my part and it's really important, and I have to say, it would take me an indefinite amount of time to get this important matter of mine done, so I can't promise you guys anything for now." I added

Then I resumed exiting the room, finally abandonening my wondering buddies behind who were supposed to go have some fun while clearly showing out their sad and disappointed expressions.

Later at that time at the restaurant, I worked again like a true dedicated employee, not letting the manager who has helped me in a big way be disappointed. Even though I just came from school and was exhausted, I managed to pick up myself and state of mind.

Then the usual days at school and at my workplace have passed by, and the last school day of the current year has come to an end, and while also the beginning of Christmas break is just right at our doors after two weeks.

-----*-----

The bell once again rang for dismissal.

I stood quietly to leave the room. I avoided myself from talking and having a chitchat to somebody, and my mind-set was as usual prepared for work. Using my peripheral vision, my friends at the side looked at me as I started leaving all by myself.

"Hmm, even today, the last day is still a 'no no' huh?"

"You can't force him Francis."

"Let him just take his time, seriously I never had faced him before with a very serious look in his face. His eyes already were enough for me to tremble."

"I guess Hanzaki in the inside is a one hidden scary guy."

"I don't know about that, let's get going now."

As usual, I was hearing their somewhat gossips, and the four of them would have to go off on their own for the day, still lacking one member of their group, or rather our group.

Meanwhile as I arrived at work, the place was also full of topics about the incoming holidays.

"It's good news for you, right Hanzaki? With your classes already ended and Christmas break will be starting tomorrow, you'll have enough time to rest, and so, are you still fine with your schedule? Or should I adjust to let you take more hours of work?"

"Yes sir, please do that. And thank you very much again for everything."

I do greatly appreciate the sir's help.

"Haha, no need to be so formal. As long as you're doing your work, that's enough."

"Right!"